Track-moving machine



c. BECK 1,730,029

' TRACK MOVING MACHINE Filed m 10, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 7.

1 /5 z 5 i J l fi g E E Fig-3f Inventor-- (uri BECK 5 b KaK Ms fltf neys.

Get. 1, 1929. c. BECK, 1,730,029

TRACK MOVING MACHINE Filed Nov. 10, 1.927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 %11 ji'i? i Magi i i i rl'z Q /l I I T 14 Fig- 8.

In ven for: C u/rZ' CK Patented Get. 1, 1929 UNITED STA CURT BECK, F HALLE, GERMANY TRACK-MOVING "MACHINE Application filed November 10, 1927, Serial No. 232,295,- and in Germany October 27, 1926.

My invention relates to track-moving machines and it is an object of my invention to provide a machine of this type which is suitable for continuous operation. To this end, I construct my machine so as to run on the ground and not on a track, as usually, and along the track instead of transversely thereto while moving the track without intermission.

It has already been proposed to provide a track moving machine which runs, not on the track it is intended to move but on the ground. However, this machine moves transversely to the track instead of moving longitudinally thereto, as in my invention, and

therefore the old machine is not able to operate continuously. It has also been proposed to provide a track moving machine which runs on the ground parallel to the track to be moved, and which is intended to shift the track without raising it from it's roadbed. Because of this fact the machine is practically useless as the adhesion of the track to the ground, into which it generally is embedded,

5 and its developed resistance to lateral shifting will exceed the tractive adhesion of the track moving machine. In my invention, on the other hand, the stress developed by the upwardly bent track increases the tractive adhesion of the track moving machine and assists its action.

I may design my machine so as to straddle the track or to run along one side of it. It may be moved by a locomotive or other vehicle to which it is attached or'it may be equipped with an independent engine or motor for propulsion.

The track-engaging means of my machine may be modified in various ways. As a rule,

it is desirable to lift the track before moving it, as the resistance of the ground is often considerable. The means for moving and lifting the track may be adapted to engage its rails or its sleepers, and various combinations of such means may be provided without departing from my invention.

In the accompanying drawings machines embodying my invention are illustrated 'diagrammatically by way of example.

,50 Figs. 1 to 7 illustrate machines which straddle the track, Fig. 8 illustrates a machine which runs along one side of the track.

More particularly:

Fig. 1 is a plan view,

Fig. 2 is an'end-elevation drawn to a larger scale and viewed from the left in Fig. 1, of a machine for handling a heavy excavator track,

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a machine having independent propelling means and adapted to handle lighter tracks,

Fig. 4; is a plan view of a similar machine but without propelling means and hauled by a locomotive,

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a machine having an endless belt for moving aside the sleepers, 1

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of a modification of the device shown in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a part side elevation of a machine I having a belt as in Figs. 5 and 6, and. a plow 1 for lifting the sleepers,

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of a machine running along one side of the track. I

In all gures, 1, 1 are endless tracks of the multiplanes or caterpillar type, instead 1 of which rollers, wheels, etc., may be provided, 2 is the frame of the machine, and 4 is the track.

Referring first to Figs. l and 2, the track 4: is a heavy excavator track which is straddled by themachine so that one of its multiplanes runs on the ground on one side, and the other on the other side of the track, and it has been assumed that themachine is running in the direction'of the arrow, Fig. 1, to

The frame 2 is supported on the multiplanes 1, 1 (or other means, as the case may be,) and is equipped with four pairs of rollers 3, 3 which engage the two outer rails of the track, oneroller on the inside, the other on the outside as shown-in Fig. 2, and means, not shown, are provided for lowering, raising and displacing the pairs of rollers and the track which they hold.

In the example illustrated the frame 2 is provided with jibs or booms 5, 5 at either end in each of which a pair of rollers 6, 6 is arranged so asto engage the two rails on the right of the track on one side, their object being to assist the principal rollers 3, 3 and to distribute the stress on the rails. In the example illustrated the rollers 6 limit the range in which the deflection of the track is effected, in other words, the track is deflected only between the rollers 6 at either end of the machine. On the other hand,it is possible to so arrange the rollers 6 that they act transversely and in the same direction as the principal rollers 3, 3, and in this case the bending range of the track obviously extends beyond,

the auxiliary rollers 6, 6. At the same time the auxiliary rollers steady the machine on the track so that its frame cannot rock with respect to the track.

A tractor of any kind, a locomtive or the like,;may be attached to the machine by a cable 7 at one of the jibs 5 as shown for the leading jib in Fig. 1. The tractor should be at such a distance from the machine that it does not interfere'with the deflection of the track. With the deflecting range equal to the pitch of the auxiliary rollers 6, 6 the tractor can be attached directly to one of the jibs 5 as in this case the'range does not extend beyond the machine and so theqtractor does not interfere with the deflection. With the coupling between the tractor and the machine so constructed as to absorb transverse forces, the auxiliary rollers may be dispensed with altogether, provided the tractor is so heavy as to keep the track in its position.

Steering means, not shown, of any suitable type may be provided on the frame of the machine, and obviously the machine may be equipped with an engine or motor of any kind for propulsion.

The action of the machine for moving the track transversely may be brought about exclusively by steering the machine, as in the case of a light track but if the track is heavy the action must be assisted by displacing the rollers 3, 3 laterally for which old mechanisms, not shown, may be provided.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, these show the handling of light track by straddling machine without the jibs 5, 5 in Fig. 1. Only pairs of rollers 3, 3 are provided for engaging the rails, as described. The machine may be equipped with an engine for propulsion as indicated at 10,Fig. 3, orit may be connected to a tractor 11 by cables 12, as in Fig. 4. 13 is a wheel for steering the machine so as to move the track as desired, and, as mentioned, the steering alone may be relied on for moving the track but obviously, for heavier or medium types of track, means may also be provided for displacing the rollers 3, 3. As the tractor 11 is running on the track the cables 12 must obviously be so long that the tractor does not interfere with the deflection required. 1.

Instead of providing mechanism for displacing the rollers 3, 3 on the frame of the machine, the rollers may be suspended to rock on the frame and the track may be displaced by means of separate contrivances, and an example is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7.

In these figures, 14is a belt, a caterpillar track or the like which is arranged horizontally on the frame of the machine and is actuated by any suitable means, not shown. The belt or the like 14 engages the ends of the track sleepers on one side and pushes them aside as they are lifted into reach of the belt by the rollers 3, 3 and the rollers, being adapted to rock on the frame 2, will not interfere with the movement of the sleepers. Instead of a belt, a set of closely adjacent vertical rollers, a slide bar, or the like, may be provided. As will appear from Fig. 7 the belt 14 is arranged intermediate the rollers on which the caterpillar track 1 is carried, and may be supported on the means for supporting the track, or on the frame 2. The belt may extend horizontally in parallel or at an angle to the plane of the track 1 on that side, the end which is trailing projecting further in the direction in-which the track is moved than the leading end so that the sleepers are displaced quite gradually.

Figs. 6 and 7 also show means for lifting the track by means of platforms instead of rollers. As shown in Fig. 7, each platform 15 is supported on I-sections 16, its ends being deflected in the manner of plows so as to pick up the sleepers and raise them while the machine is advancing. Instead of a steel plate on the bars 16 I may provide a roller track or the like for supporting the sleepers.

Referring now to Fig. 8, this machine is adapted to run on the ground along one side of the track. 17 is a frame in which the railengaging rollers 3, 3 are carried, 18 is a pivot connecting-the frame with the main frame 2 on the caterpillars or the like 1, 1, 19 is a cable or chain on which the frame 17 is suspended from a pulley 22 on a boom 21, 23 is a pulley at the rear end of the boom, 20 is a balance weight on the frame 2, and 24 is a drum for winding the cable or the like 19. A suitable gear, not shown, is provided for rotating the drum 24 by hand or by an engine.

The pivotal connection of the frames 17 and 2 may be so constructed that the frame 17, on being lifted, is also moved to one side, but obviously the rollers 3, 3 may be provided with mechanism for transverse displacement, as referred to, or the machine is steered so as to move the track.

I claim:

1. A track-moving machine comprising means adapted to straddle the track to be moved and to run on the ground alongside of the rails of said track and means whereby the track is lifted from the roadbed as it is moved.

2. A track-moving machine adapted to straddle the track to be moved and to run on the ground alongside of the rails of said track, the latter being laterally shifted by changing the direction of travel of said machine.

3. A track-moving machine adapted to run on the ground alongside of the track to be moved and comprising a frame extending across the track, anti-friction means on either side of said frame adapted to support said frame on the ground, and track-handling means on said frame.

4. A track-moving machine adapted to run on the ground alongside of the track to be moved and comprising means adapted to engage and to force aside the sleepers of the track.

5. A track-moving machine adapted to run on the ground alongside of the track to be moved and comprising means adapted to engage and to force aside the sleepers of the track, the trailing end of said means projecting further in the direction in which the track is to be moved than the leading end.

6. A track-moving machine adapted to run on the ground alongside of the track to be moved and comprising an endless horizontal belt on one side which is adapted to engage and to force aside the sleepers of the track.

7. A track-moving machine adapted to straddle the track to be moved and to run on the ground alongside of the rails of said track, comprising a frame extending across the track, track-handling means on said frame whereby said track is shifted by changing the direction of travel of the machine, and track-supporting means on said frame for lifting the track from the roadbed.

8. A track-moving machine adapted to straddle the track to be moved and to run on the ground alongside of the rails of said track, comprising a frame extending across the track, track-handling means on said frame whereby said track is shifted by changing the direction of travel of the machine, and means extending along the track and secured to said frame for supporting the sleepers of thei track in a raised position above the roadbe 9. A track-moving machine adapted to straddle the track to be moved and to run on the ground alongside of the rails of said track, comprising a frame extending across the track, track-handling means on said frame whereby said track is shifted by changing the direction of travel of the machine, means extending along the track and secured to said frame for supporting the sleepers of the track in a raised position above the roadbed, and means connected with said supporting means for lifting the sleepers and guiding them to said supporting means.

10. A track-moving machine adapted to straddle the track to be moved and to run on the ground alongside of the rails of said track, comprising a frame extending across the track, track-handling means on said frame whereby said track is shifted by changing the direction of travel of the machine, a platform extending along the track and secured to said frame for supporting the sleepers of the track in a raised position above the roadbed, and a plow connected with said platform for lifting said sleepers and guiding them to said platform.

11. A track-moving machine comprising a pair of traction members spaced from each other to run on the ground outside of the rails, steering means for said traction members, and means mounted on said machine for exerting a lateral thrust on the track.

12. A track-moving machine comprising a pair of traction members spaced from each other to run on the ground outside of the rails, steering means for said traction members, means for raising the track adjacent the machine, and means mounted on said machine for exerting a lateral thrust on the raised track.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, this 28th day of October 1927.

CURT BECK. 

